Throughout the centuries there has been one thing that has held the realm together and that is….gold.
It is used for everything to create things, for money, etc
The realm runs on it; whoever has the most of it is the richest in the land.
However throughout the years empires have risen up with the Nishania and Abalon being the longest and strongest empire using up the most of the gold.
The Nishania and Abalon country was the last of the great gold and since then the gold has been left in a dire state with only the royal families of the realm having most of it but they too have been running out of gold.
But then the Nishania and Abalon spilt up with the Abalon kingdom reigning over them. But that's all the Abalon kingdom did was reign.
They weren't a empire anymore they were just a kingdom a very strong kingdom.
With gold comes power and with power you reign over all the other kingdoms and Abalon with the most gold had the most power at that point.
But with power comes tyrants and with tyrants comes foolishness.
With running out of gold and power they royal family of Abalon looks to hold on to every power they have and to destroy the next who has the most power.
And that family is the Turnip family who was growing stronger and stronger with every generation.
A long generational family of Scholars and geniuses. Both in the sword and books.
After the royal family and the dukes comes the Turnip family.
The Turnip family resides in the sand lands. Not too far from the capital but far enough to not be considered the capital and the south.
Turnip family reknowned for their smarts and aiding with some of the kings. Faced a problem. The problem being…they had no heir.
Chastity Turnip the marchioness of the Turnip family after a long wait gave birth to a girl. The Marquis Weston Turnip wasn't a bit of happy.
"A girl". He said, staring down at the ebony colored baby. "Yes". Chastity said, smiling at the girl grinning from ear to ear.
In her opinion she looked just like the Marquis. But Weston cared for none of this. What he needed was an heir. The royal family and nobles were looking to see what new genius would come out of the Turnip family or what fool would cast their downfall.
Weston in a way was a let down because he wasn't the hand of the king. Someone else had taken over that role but what Weston did achieve was building a new academy in the capital so that way the capital children wouldn't have to travel to the hot sandlands to study (The Weston academy was known to produce skillful,smart, genius children…or so they say).
Weston sighed and put his hand on his forehead. "How can you be so happy over this knowing the nobles and the royal family are looking at our next move"! He shouted.
Chastity flinched and checked on the baby making sure she wasn't startled awake by Weston's yelling. She wasn't and looked at Weston with a sad expression hoping he would be happy for the daughter they did have. "I'm sure we will have more Weston, we should be happy for the child we have". Chastity said softly trying not to disturb the child.
"What I need is an heir"! Weston said, shouting once more. Making everyone in the room jump. He looked over at the child for a moment and then left the room.
Looking in disarray. Chastity picked up the quiet child and began soothing her.
A week went by with Weston not visiting the child and Chastity relaying messages to him. Eventually she sent a note to Weston saying that she decided on the name Lavender Analise.
Chastity loved the smell of lavender and Lavender always seemed to cling onto her when Chasity went to see her.
Chastity was in love with Lavender and happy whenever she was around her.
She spent more time in Lavender's room than she did her own and when work would pile up she would simply move Lavender's cradle into her office.
But Chastity's happiness started to fade when she started noticing things about Lavender. How Lavenders cry was very loud and some of the maids pointed it out.
But when she asked her nanny she said some children were different. Chastity began to push it off and off. But then she noticed that Lavender wouldn't respond to her name being called and only when Chasity would jump in Lavender's face would she smile.
She pushed this off too thinking maybe lavender didn't know her name yet. (Even Though she was at the age). Then it all came when it all came to a head.
That night the rain and thundering was bad. Chasity was behind on the paperwork she had in her office.
She was stressed over the nobles, the royal family, even the family on both sides inquiring about the child. The child who Chasity had her own worries over.
She knew something was wrong and when she would ponder on it something came up and she would brush it off for later. But this night all things came to a head.
Lavender was sleeping in Chastity's office. Chastity was catching up on some of the work that needed to be done around the house and getting ready for the incoming tea parties.
When a maid came in startled by the huge boom of lightning she dropped a tray of treats and tea that were held in all glass containers. The sound was loud enough to make Chastity and the others yelp.
"I'm sorry My Lady". The maid said and quickly began to clean up with the others. "No it's fine, are you hurt"? Chastity said, making her way around her desk.
The maid nodded and they were going back and forth of apologies and Chastity saying it's fine frazzled worried about both her and lavender. "Oh Lavender". She said and rushed over to Lavender's crib.
There was silence as Chasity and her handmaid rushed over to her crib.
"Oh wow the Missus didn't cry or awake". Chastity's handmaid said. "Yes she doesn't get startled no matter what loud sound is made". The other maids talked to each other. Thinking it was something to be happy over.
But Chastitys stared at the child Remembering all the times something had fell or more of the maids screamed and Lavender wasn't startled or awoken from her sleep. Her facial expression darkened.
She walked over quietly and quickly almost as if she was running to a vase and slammed it on the floor making a huge sound making everyone in the room but Chastity and Lavender scream.
She stared silently at lavender's crib and picked up another vase and slammed it in the ground. But no noise from lavender's crib.
The maids looked frightened and scared as Chasity picked up another vase and slammed it to the ground.
"My lady what's wrong". The nanny finally asked (scared herself). Chastity's eyes widened and she slowly walked over to Lavender who was still asleep.
"She didn't hear that". Chastity said falling down her knees sobbing. "I beg your pardon my lady"? The nanny said. "Lavender didn't hear me slamming the vase on the floor, or Olivia dropping the tray, or any other loud noises we've made". She screamed
She picked up lavender and hugged her. "I don't think she can hear". Chastity cried, rocking her.
Though everyone wanted to try and say the lady could, everyone had their suspicions about Lavender. No one could say anything and only heard the wailing of Chastity and the rain.
"The child can't hear". Weston said, setting down the letter from Chastity.. "not only do we not have an heir but Lavender cannot hear". Weston said, sighing and rubbing his forehead.
"Is there anything we can do for Lavender". Weston said. The butler shook his head. "I fear not". He answered.
"The King is waiting to see our next move. I've already opened an academy in the capital. What more does he want from me". Weston said. He sighed. "He's waiting to see our downfall due to the fact that me and the grand duke are best friends". He said.
"The grand duke is next in power aside from the royal family and they might think we'd join arms to over take them". Weston stared down at a pair of purple socks with the letters LT embroidered on them.
"I've neglected my family and all for what to try and prove my loyalty to a king who is half mad and only got his position because of viscount Charles". Weston said, almost shouting.
"My lord". The butler said, staring at him nervously. "The walls have ears". He said. "The young lady does look like you. I think it's finally time you gave her a visit that isn't in the dark of the night".
Weston nodded his head and sighed and fell back into his chair. "I think I will take you up on the advice Henricks". He said and got up.
Chasity sat in her bedroom staring at Lavender and the maid playing. Going over plans and thoughts on Lavender's future. What kind of man would she marry? How to shield her?
While she was thinking of this a knock was on the door causing everyone to pause. "My lady it is the Marquis". Henricks said from the other side.
Everyone looked confused and shock and soon stood up as he entered the room. Chasity began to stand up but Weston motioned for her to sit down.
Weston walked over to little Lavender and stared down at Lavender who stared up at him. while Chastity sat in her chair nervous. "I didn't think you'd come". Chastity said. "I did come". Weston whispered mesmerized by Lavender.
Chastity was confused by what he was saying. "Only in the dark of the night when Lavender was asleep". Weston said.
Weston reached and touched Lavender's hand with his finger. She grabbed it, making him grin. And he caressed her face with his hand.
It was true as Henrick said. Lavender did look like him. Her cheeks and lips were rosy and her hair was wild over her head with a red bow.
He didn't see much of this because every time he saw her it was in the night and she was asleep with only a small candle lighting her face.
Weston would come in, send the maids watching her (not before telling her to keep this a secret), watch her sleep and fall asleep sometimes himself too and in the morning before anyone came in he left.
Weston spent the entire night in the room with lavender watching her sleep,feeding her, and playing with her.
And then it was time for a discussion. "I'm sorry". Weston said. "I shouldn't have reacted like that. I should love our children regardless of what they are". Weston said.
Chasity nodded and held his hand. "We will get through this together. I forgive you, you're here now". She said,
"I've known something was wrong when no matter how much noise we would make she didn't turn or be startled by it". Chastity said, sighing.
"She doesn't even respond to her own name being called". Chastity said. "She only smiles when she sees me or one of the maids". "How shall the royal family react or even the nobles react when we bring the child out for them to see"? She said,
"I will protect her". Weston said, looking at Chastity. "Whatever lesson she needs, whatever help she needs, I will get them.". Weston said, looking back at Lavender.
"The nobles,the royal families can laugh or ridicule our family all they want but lavender will be protected". He said, rocking Lavender's cradle.
"Lavender will be fine". Weston whispered. Him and Chasity resting their heads on each other.
And Indeed Lavender was protected. When Lavender turned seven. Chastity gave birth to twin boys Weston II and Cliton and the academy in the capital was finally opened.
The nobles and royal family were present and though their mouths said nothing their eyes and looks said another. Looking for any flaws in the girl, anything to talk about.
Lavender didn't speak and instead hid in the shadow of her mothers skirt and her father's hand. This could've just meant the girl was shy. They couldn't get anything off the girl…that was until the crown prince decided to talk to her.
It would have been okay if the crown prince had call for her and he was in front of her but he was behind her instead she of course couldn't hear him.
She was in the garden by herself and sent her handmaiden off to use the restroom. No one thought to go there.
The turnips thought it would be okay. But the crown prince along with a couple of other young lady's and lords made their way outside with the same idea as their parents and found Lavender playing with the flowers in the garden.
"Hey"! The crown prince called. Lavender, being deaf could not hear him. So he called her again embarrassed. "Hey"! He said this time louder. Lavender did not answer.
"Hey"! The crown prince stormed over to her. "Don't you hear your crown prince calling you"! He yelled, turning her around.
He turned her around lavender frightened by his sudden appearance let out a scream that alerted the guards standing outside.
Quickly they ran over to the children, some getting the marquis and the king and queen who ran outside to see what was going on.
"What's going on here"! The king yelled. "Father, I was just trying to get her attention and she screamed at me". The crown prince said.
"She was rude"! The other children yelled. "She wouldn't answer when we called"! They shouted more. The king looked over at Weston who quickly grabbed Lavender.
"Marquis, what is the meaning of this". The king commanded. Weston squeezed a lavender who started to understand what was going on. "I'm sorry my majesty if you could be understanding. Lavender was born without the ability to hear. She could not hear the children which is why she came off as rude". Weston said bowing with Lavender bowing with him.
"Can't hear huh". The king said. He nodded. "No no I understand". The king said. With that the conversation was over but the matter was not. The king putting more pressure on Weston because of this incident.
And lavender was barely seen out and about after this. Her brothers were the opposite and proved to be smart boys.
Lavender only being seen at some tea parties and banquets only if they were hosted by Chasity and Weston.
She was never without her mother and father in those scenes and in those scenes if she wasn't there mother and father said she was simply retiring to her room.
Lavender was a quiet beauty, a beauty you would only see in the Sandlands.
She didn't wear the colors of her house which was purple and white. she only wore blue, shades of pink but of course her favorite color was lavender, very pastel colors.
She was only a beauty in the sandlands, not much of a beauty in the capital and well the capital was the capital. Where blonde and brown hair was in and Lavender's black hair and dark brown eyes weren't in at the capital more it be the sandlands.
Lavender had a gentle face and kind eyes. With her kind eyes came her kind personality. Her mother and father worked on her speech a lot and although She didn't talk much; her personality was shown through her smile and acts.
But everyone in the Sandlands knew that Lady Lavender could not hear as did those in the south.
The people and nobles of the Sandlands however did not care as much as those in the south.
Mostly because she was sweet and shielded due to the Turnips being the lords over the sandlands. Plus Lavender was never in the social scene that much.
But now lavender was of the age to get married as well as all the other girls in all the regions. It was the season to get married,for banquets, hunting,etc.
The royal family had a particular interest in who Lavender was marrying because of the turnips' control over the trading routes in the sea. Mostly how supplies and food were getting in through them.
One reason the royal family was so interested in who Lavender was marrying is that if she married someone who was loyal to the royal family the royal family had ties to it altogether.
Weston pushed this affair off as long as he could even though the royal family had been pressing the matter because the message season was even here.
He sought out a plan for lavender. And at the age of 22 Weston found someone for Lavender to marry. Someone who would need help as much as he did and that plan was in the cold foreign lands of Critin.
The royal family Zennire. The crown prince Xilo Elliot Zennire. Who was particularly known for being out on the battle forked at a young.
"Two black wolves"? Lavender signed with her hands looking at the envelope. The was confused on why her father had called her to the office; he rarely called her to his office. The only time he did was if he was away and wanted to see her and her brothers but wasn't able to go directly to them because of work.
Her mother grabbed lavender's hand and squeezed it. Giving her confidence to open the envelope up. But before she could her father reached up and grabbed the envelope hurrying to open it.
He opened it and began to read the contents of the letter silently. He stopped and handed the letter over to Chastity looking in the distance. Lavender wasn't a nosy person but this letter had her curious it was about her and father had called her alone without her brothers to read it.
Zennire family Lavender read. "The foreign royal family". Lavender signed. Her father nodded. She began to read the letter more and saw her name.
We warmly accept the marriage proposal with our son Xilo Elliot Zennire and and either of the daughters of the Turnip family. your daughter Lavender Analise Turnip or Dafanie Damaris Turnip. We shall discuss more matters when we meet for the king and queen's anniversary banquet in dues week.
Sincerely Kilagin Zennire
It was a lot more written but Lavender had stopped reading there. "My marriage". She said, "With the prince not just Prince but crown prince". She signed. "In a week"?